Family Law and Divorce Attorney in Chicago, IL
Experienced. Responsive. On Your Side.
Going through a divorce or custody dispute in Chicago means navigating one of the busiest family court systems in the country.
At Mulyk Laho Law, our experienced divorce lawyers have spent decades helping Illinois families through this process—and we’re known for being reachable when it matters most.
55 Years of Combined Experience
Services in English, Spanish, and Arabic
Fair and Transparent Billing
Free Attorney Consultation
Divorce Attorneys Serving Chicago, IL
Our Chicago divorce lawyers bring 55 years of combined experience to every case, supported by a team of investigators, forensic accountants, and child welfare specialists who help us build the strongest possible position on your behalf.
Mulyk Laho Law represents clients throughout Chicago and Cook County, appearing regularly in all 6 county courthouses. We also offer services in English, Spanish, and Arabic.
Whether your case involves an amicable divorce or high-stakes contested litigation, our team brings the legal experience to resolve the issue effectively and the personal dedication you deserve throughout the process.
Our Family Law and Divorce Attorneys
Rebecca A. Laho
Partner
Sharon R. Mulyk
Partner
Patrick P. Azer
Attorney
Caroline M. Smith
Attorney
Client Reviews
Types of Divorce Cases
Every divorce is different. Some Chicago clients need a skilled negotiator to help them reach a fair settlement without ever going to trial. Others need a fighter. Our team at Mulyk Laho Law has the experience to handle both—and the judgment to know which approach serves your interests.
Uncontested
When both spouses agree on all major issues, the process can move quickly—but uncontested divorces still carry real risk. Property division errors, improperly drafted parenting plans, and missed retirement account transfers can create serious problems years down the road. We make sure your agreement is airtight before it becomes a court order.
Mediated
Mediation can be an especially effective option in Cook County, where contested cases face longer wait times due to court volume. It may also be required in some cases. A skilled mediator can help you reach a binding resolution in a fraction of the time (and at a fraction of the cost) of full litigation.
Contested
When spouses cannot agree on parenting arrangements, property division, or support, the case moves through the courts—typically including a court-ordered mediation phase before going to trial. If mediation doesn't resolve your case, we're ready to go the distance, with the experience to hold our own against any firm in the city.
Complex
Chicago-area divorces frequently involve business ownership, investment properties, deferred compensation, stock options, and other assets that require sophisticated legal and financial analysis. Our team includes forensic accountants and investigators who ensure that nothing is hidden and nothing is overlooked.
Your Family, Your Future
Divorce touches on everything that matters most: your children, your finances, your home, and your long-term security. Our experienced family law attorneys take the time to understand the full picture of your situation, so that every decision made during your case protects what you’ve built and sets your family up for stability on the other side.
Asset and Property Division
Illinois is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital assets are divided fairly, but not necessarily equally. What that looks like in practice depends heavily on what you own, how it’s titled, and how accurately each spouse’s finances can be documented.
Chicago’s workforce is diverse, and so are the financial pictures we work with—from business ownership and investment properties to self-employment, tip-based payment, and gig work. Our team includes forensic accountants who make sure the numbers on paper reflect reality.
Child Support and Custody
When children are part of a Chicago divorce, Illinois law addresses 3 things: how decision-making authority is allocated between parents; what the parenting time schedule looks like; and how child support is calculated based on both parents’ net incomes, parenting arrangements, and costs.
At Mulyk Laho Law, your children’s wellbeing comes first. Our family law attorneys are supported by specialists in child psychology, sociology, and child welfare—all of whom help ensure that every legal order meets the total needs of your family.
Additional Family Law Services for Chicago-Area Clients
Divorce is not the only area where families need skilled legal advocacy. Mulyk Laho Law handles a full range of family law matters for clients throughout Chicago and Cook County.
Adoption
Guiding families through agency, private, stepparent, and relative adoptions with care and efficiency.
Paternity
Establishing, contesting, or modifying paternity to protect the legal rights of children and parents alike.
Civil Unions
Helping couples establish civil unions and understand their legal rights and protections under Illinois law.
Guardian ad Litem
Experienced representation in cases where the court appoints an independent advocate for your child’s best interests.
Orders of Protection
When safety is at stake, we move quickly. Our attorneys are experienced in obtaining emergency orders of protection and temporary restraining orders for clients and their children.
Prenuptial Agreements
Drafting and reviewing agreements that protect your individual assets and clarify financial rights before they become a source of conflict.
Serving Families Throughout Chicago and Cook County
Our attorneys appear regularly in all 6 of Cook County’s Domestic Relations courthouses. Our office in Glen Ellyn, IL is an accessible option for experienced family law representation—without the overhead of a downtown Chicago firm.
Your Local Courthouses:
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
The primary courthouse for City of Chicago residents and home to the largest Domestic Relations Division in the state. Whether you're on the North Side, South Side, West Side, or anywhere in between, this is where most Chicago divorce and family law cases are heard.
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
The primary courthouse for City of Chicago residents and home to the largest Domestic Relations Division in the state. Whether you're on the North Side, South Side, West Side, or anywhere in between, this is where most Chicago divorce and family law cases are heard.
Skokie Courthouse
5600 Old Orchard Rd., Skokie, IL 60077
Serves the north and northeast suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, Niles, Northbrook, Glenview, Park Ridge, Wilmette, and Winnetka.
Rolling Meadows Courthouse
2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Serves the northwest suburbs, including Arlington Heights, Palatine, Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, and Wheeling.
Maywood Courthouse
1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, IL 60153
Serves the western suburbs of Cook County, including Oak Park, Berwyn, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Melrose Park, and Brookfield.
Bridgeview Courthouse
10220 S. 76th Ave., Bridgeview, IL 60455
Serves the southwest suburbs, including Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Bridgeview, Palos Heights, and Oak Forest.
Markham Courthouse
16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy., Markham, IL 60428
Serves the south suburbs, including Harvey, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Homewood, Flossmoor, Matteson, and South Holland.
Why Choose Mulyk Laho Law?
We know that hiring an attorney can feel like a leap of faith. When you work with Mulyk Laho Law, you can feel confident that you made the right choice.
55 Years of Combined Experience: Our attorneys have been representing families in Chicago and Cook County courts for decades. We know the Domestic Relations Division, its judges, and its procedural expectations—experience that translates directly into better outcomes for clients.
We Pick Up the Phone: Divorce is stressful enough without having to chase down your lawyer. We're known for being responsive throughout your case. Calls get returned, questions get answered, and you're never left wondering where you stand.
Mediation and Litigation: We take the time to understand all the details of your case and recommend the right legal pathway for your family. If a mediated resolution serves your interests, we pursue it efficiently. If a fight is necessary, our experienced divorce attorneys are ready for trial.
A Full Support Team Behind Every Case: Our attorneys are supported by experienced investigators, forensic accountants, child psychologists, and social workers. For complex cases—particularly those involving business assets, hidden income, or contested custody—these resources can make all the difference.
Services in English, Spanish, and Arabic: We serve the diverse population of Chicago and Cook County with skilled family law services in multiple languages.
Free Initial Consultation: Speak with one of our attorneys at no charge, with no obligation. Everything discussed is confidential. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your options and what comes next.
Chicago Family Law FAQ
How do I file for divorce in Chicago, Illinois?
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state; the only grounds required are irreconcilable differences. Unlike other states, Illinois does not require a mandatory waiting period.
To file in Chicago or Cook County, at least one spouse must have been an Illinois resident for 90 days prior to filing. You’ll file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage through the Cook County Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations Division. Cook County accepts electronic filings through the Illinois Courts e-filing portal, as well as in-person filings at your local courthouse.
Once the petition is filed, your spouse must be formally served—or sign a Waiver of Service if you’re in agreement—and the court will schedule an initial case management conference.
How long does a divorce take in Cook County?
Cook County is one of the busiest court systems in the state, and that affects timelines.
- An uncontested divorce where both parties are fully aligned can often be finalized in 2-4 months.
- Contested divorces typically take 12-24 months, and complex cases involving significant assets or disputed custody can take longer.
Cook County’s case volume means timelines frequently run toward the longer end of those windows—and procedural missteps or missed deadlines can push them even further. At Mulyk Laho Law, our attorneys understand the division’s scheduling demands and stay on top of every filing to keep your case moving efficiently.
If one spouse lives in Chicago and one lives in the suburbs, where do we file?
It depends on where each of you lives at the time of filing. If both spouses live in Cook County but in different districts, the petitioner (the spouse who files first) generally determines which courthouse handles the case, though transfers are possible under certain circumstances.
If one spouse lives in Cook County and the other lives in a neighboring county like DuPage, Kane, or Will, the case can typically be filed in either county as long as the residency requirements are met.
This is one reason it’s worth speaking with an attorney before you file. Where your case is heard matters, and you may have more options than you realize.
Will I have to go to court?
Most people going through a divorce or family law matter in Chicago or Cook County will have some court involvement.
- In an uncontested divorce, a judge still needs to approve the final agreement, but this is often handled without a formal evidentiary hearing.
- In contested matters, court appearances are required—sometimes several of them.
- Cook County’s Domestic Relations Division has a mediation program, and judges routinely order parties to attempt mediation before scheduling a full hearing on contested custody issues. Many disputes are resolved in mediation rather than at trial.
Most cases in the City of Chicago will be heard at the Richard J. Daley Center, located at 50 W. Washington St. in the Loop. For suburban residents, there are 5 regional courthouses throughout Cook County.
Remote hearings via Zoom are available for many routine matters. For hearings where your presence makes a difference, we’ll always advise you ahead of time.
What is the Cook County mediation program and do I have to participate?
Cook County’s Domestic Relations Division has a mandatory mediation program for contested custody and parenting time disputes. Before a judge will schedule a trial on those issues, the court typically requires both parties to attempt mediation through Family Court Services—a court-run program where a neutral third party helps both sides work toward a parenting agreement. Sessions are confidential, and anything discussed cannot be used against you in court.
In the court-run program, attorneys do not typically attend sessions directly, but your attorney will prepare you thoroughly beforehand and review any agreement before you sign it. The parties may also agree to private mediation, which attorneys and specialists such as financial analysts may attend by mutual agreement.
Either way, reaching a mediated agreement is almost always faster, less expensive, and less stressful than going to trial.
How is child support calculated in Chicago?
Illinois uses an income shares model under 750 ILCS 5/505. Both parents’ net monthly incomes are combined, a base obligation is determined from the state schedule, and that amount is split proportionally between the parents. The calculation adjusts for health insurance costs, work-related childcare, and each parent’s share of parenting time.
In Chicago, where income structures vary widely—freelancers, business owners, diverse investment portfolios, tipped workers, and gig economy workers are all common—accurately establishing income is often the most disputed part of the support calculation. Our attorneys are supported by forensic accountants and investigators to ensure you’re working with accurate numbers.
Can a divorce decree be modified after it is finalized?
Yes. In Chicago and throughout Illinois, child support, maintenance (alimony), and parenting arrangements can all be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Common triggers include a significant change in income, a parent relocating, remarriage, or a meaningful shift in the child’s needs or schedule.
Do I need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce in Chicago?
You’re not required to have one. But even fully agreed divorces carry risks that aren’t obvious to non-lawyers—particularly around how retirement accounts are divided (most require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO, to transfer without tax penalties), how real property is handled, and whether your parenting plan will hold up if circumstances change down the road.
We offer a free initial consultation, so there’s no reason not to have an attorney review your situation before you file.
What should I look for in a Chicago divorce lawyer?
Cook County Circuit Court experience is the most important thing to ask about. An attorney who appears regularly in the Domestic Relations Division will understand the court’s current scheduling realities, judicial tendencies, and procedural expectation, which can impact the outcome and timelines of your case.
Beyond that, look for a divorce lawyer who will take the right approach to your case. The attorneys at Mulyk Laho Law take the time to understand your specific circumstances, and we’ll match the temperature your case requires—everything from a straightforward, amicable divorce to contested cases that require a fight in court. While we handle all types of family law matters, we are especially passionate about cases that involve children, protecting their best interests both during and after the court process.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Our Chicago divorce attorneys are ready to listen, explain your options, and put our experience in Cook County family courts to work for you.
This call is free and confidential.